Thread: MIG Bottle Pressure

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Probably a silly question, but how low do you let the bottle pressure go before you opt for a new bottle of shield gas? Mine's sitting at about 350 to 400psig now, with the new bottle pressure in the 1800 to 2000psig range.

We use every bit up in our shop, and have a spare tank on hand......just in case. The 350-400 tank pressure is still a fair amount ,we set our reg's line pressure at 20 psi ,so unless your using a very small tank, your ok.
Brian

Originally Posted by Oldmanb

We use every bit up in our shop, and have a spare tank on hand......just in case. The 350-400 tank pressure is still a fair amount ,we set our reg's line pressure at 20 psi ,so unless your using a very small tank, your ok.
Brian

Brian,
That's what I was thinking, but thanks for the reply. I'm using a #3 tank, 80cuft volume which is nominal 8"ODx5'tall or so...

Roger - with mine, I run it until there is no more!!! I just replaced the non adjustable regulator with an adjustable ball flow regulator to see if I can reduce my usage (plus the gauge had gone to heaven as well) to something less then 20cf/h

I'm like IC2, squeeze every drop out of that bottle! I run it to zero! You can hear the change in the weld and you know it's time to stop.

Originally Posted by IC2

Roger - with mine, I run it until there is no more!!! I just replaced the non adjustable regulator with an adjustable ball flow regulator to see if I can reduce my usage (plus the gauge had gone to heaven as well) to something less then 20cf/h

Originally Posted by 34_40

I'm like IC2, squeeze every drop out of that bottle! I run it to zero! You can hear the change in the weld and you know it's time to stop.

Mike & Dave,
That's where I'm headed, but I'm on a bottle exchange program so the time it runs out will be the time I have to stop work, load up the bottle and make the 15 mile drive to the supplier.
Dave, before I posted here I was looking for info on the net and ran across a site that pointed out that in general MIG's using only a pressure setting waste as much as 80% of the gas by flowing too much - 2.5 to 5 times more than is necessary for good shielding. Your ball flow meter is probably a good idea.

I run mine to empty,but since my best buddy in the world is a salesman for a welding supplier I get to have a backup tank for everything,mig.tig and oxy/acet.
Show do hope he never retires....

Originally Posted by HWORRELL

I run mine to empty,but since my best buddy in the world is a salesman for a welding supplier I get to have a backup tank for everything,mig.tig and oxy/acet.
Show do hope he never retires....

It's really not a big deal for me. This 80CF tank has lasted me over four years.... The deck railing project this summer is what drained it. I really need to pick up an Oxy/Acetylene rig and play with it to learn that technique.

run till empty,if not welding good try rolling bottel.ther is a ball in mix gas bottles to stir the gases when the seperate.almost never happens but it does.

You'll always seem to run out when the depot is closed. We go through a couple of bottles a week in the summer,but have an excellent guy who will deliver almost anytime,(except when there is a NASCAR race on).
Brian

This guys life is about Argon gas and getting the most milage, constant shielding of the weld for maximum penetration. He is not a light weight known around NHRA fabricators, his web site is full of information not generally known.

Improve Mig Welding Quality

yep I use mine right to the bottom, exchange at Home Depot,, oxy and ace too. Used to go to welding supply house but H.D. is closer and a bit cheaper

Home Depot has that service in your area ....... cool. I need to ask the local store here, never noticed.

Yep had it for probably 4 or 5 years now

Not a SA, well maybe a little, but this reminds me of a scene from the boyd coddington show when the shop forman told the boot to go out and shake the paint can until the ball stop rattling.

Personally gone through my share of argon gas cylinders and I have never heard that mixing ball banging around. Could this just be an old salt flat myth that folks sit by the campfire telling? Like grabbing 10 ft of chow line or a bucket of prop wash.